Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D. Director & Chief

Central to her research is applying advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to identify important biomarkers and to better elucidate the timing and evolution of impaired brain maturation, as well as the brain’s adaptive responses. Her lab leads the world in applying advanced imaging techniques to identify early brain and placental biomarkers of risk and resilience for neurodevelopmental impairment. Her goal is to develop early and reliable signals that can identify the high-risk fetus prior to irreversible brain injury. Dr. Limperopoulos also leads the Clark Parent & Child Network Prenatal-Neonatal Pillar, a project that links parents to needed resources and time-sensitive mental health support. The Network was underwritten by a transformational, $36 million investment. And powered by that funding, the DC Mother-Baby Wellness program she oversees has received more than 1,200 referrals in fewer than two years. She also was named the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation Distinguished Professor of Maternal-Infant Health, an appointment that honors her unique achievements and that supports her groundbreaking research to improve the lives of children and families.

DBI has assembled leading scientists and healthcare providers from across myriad disciplines and healthcare models (tertiary care to primary care) that are at the forefront of clinical research and translational efforts focused on accelerating screening, diagnosing, treating and preventing prenatal onset brain disorders to improve child health and well-being for life. She is an occupational therapist and pediatric neuroscientist who has demonstrated repeated successes in completing novel, patient-centered clinical and translational research in uncomplicated and high-risk pregnant women and neurodiagnostic and neurodevelopmental surveillance in high-risk fetuses and preterm infants. In addition to funding from private donors, like the Clark Foundation, she has or has had funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Department of Defense, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications. She also leads the Integrating Special Populations Module of the Children’s National/GWU NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award, which focuses on improving recruitment and retention of disadvantaged women into preventive maternal-fetal clinical trials aimed at optimizing long-term, maternal-infant health and well-being.

Dr. Limperopoulos is founder and director of the DC Perinatal Consortium, which brings together multiple stakeholders from our regional (Washington, D.C.) healthcare partners in obstetrics, psychiatry and pediatrics, and an established community advisory board with representation from low-income Black communities, including the DC Primary Care Association, Mary’s Center, Community of Hope, Unity Health Care, Mamatoto Village and Black patients, representatives with expertise in advocacy and policy. The overarching mission of this DC collaborative is to determine optimal delivery of screening and low-cost interventions aimed at reducing the striking health disparities experienced by women of color in the District of Columbia.